At Innovas Technologies, we’re proud to see how organizations committed to sustainability are putting the Helios Automatic Tube Cleaning System® (TCS) to work in their facilities. A prime example is Duke University, where Helios has become a vital part of the school’s district cooling efficiency strategy.
Tackling a Persistent Challenge
Like many large-scale cooling systems, Duke’s plant faced ongoing issues with fouling inside chiller tubes. Biofilm, scaling, and other deposits were driving up energy consumption, creating maintenance headaches, and reducing overall reliability. Traditional approaches required hundreds of labor hours each year for manual cleaning—time-consuming, costly, and disruptive.
Results That Speak for Themselves
With Helios installed, Duke will be able to maintain continuously clean chiller tubes, keeping heat transfer at peak efficiency. The results they can expect include:
- 5 million + kWh of electricity saved annually
- Estimated $480,000 in yearly energy cost reductions
- 500+ labor hours eliminated from manual tube cleaning
Beyond the financial and operational improvements, Helios has also reduced the university’s carbon footprint, aligning directly with its long-standing commitment to sustainability.
Fast Payback, Long-Term Value
For institutions evaluating energy-saving investments, payback is always a key consideration. At Duke, the Helios system paid for itself in just 2.5 years—a return driven by both energy savings and reduced maintenance costs. Today, those benefits continue to accrue year after year.
Supporting Reliability and Sustainability Goals
By reducing energy waste, lowering operating costs, and eliminating disruptive manual maintenance, Helios has helped Duke strengthen both operational reliability and sustainability performance. These outcomes underscore the system’s value for any facility where efficiency and resilience are top priorities.
Takeaway: Duke University’s success with Helios is a clear demonstration of how automatic tube cleaning technology can deliver meaningful results in energy savings, operational reliability, and sustainability.
